i have visited this orphanage, and am about to visit again in march this year...What most people do not understand is that this orphanages income is donation based...the majority of the elephants there, are due to past injuries, the elephants that are chained are usually of an agressive nature...Wish people would not judge until they know the facts.. more

This is worth visiting just for the experience of being so close to so many of these magnificent animals. Some of the rescued Elephants have injuries (blindness, missing leg) but they seem to be looked after and have plenty of space to roam. This has certainly changed for the better since my last visit 12 years ago. The price however... more

If you don't want to see elephants ill-treated give this tourist trap a miss. I thought the days of hobbling, chained and beaten elephants were gone. If you do go make sure not to tip the aggressive "mahouts" who will happily bully baby elephants into posing nicely for a photo. Read the Born Free report for further detail. more

The elephants have very limited space. The older male that is nearly blind is always chained to a tree and for photos. He even has a sign about him nailed to the tree. I think that is just wrong. Yes, you will see elephants chained, not just the elder, but also simply to a tree, during feeding and sometimes just... more

I've been fascinated with elephants ever since I got the chance to ride on one. A visit to Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage was on the top of my list when we decided to travel to Sri Lanka. And it was the highlight of our trip for me. We could touch the elephants, watch the feeding of the baby elephants and help... more

An absolute must-see. The mahouts really interact well with the elephants, and the elephants are of course gorgeous. You can get really close to the water, or enjoy a panoramic view from a very nice restaurant just above. When I was there, a newly-married couple were having some wedding photos done, so that was an added bonus! Recommended, Sunday morning... more

I last visited Pinnawela a few months ago on one of my many trips to Sri Lanka. The elephants, many of them babies line up at 9am for feeding. These tiny waiste high babies trumpet till they are fed using giant milk bottles. The get agitated if the carer takes time. They then cross a main road, down a narrow... more

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is situated in the Sabaragamuwa province of Sri Lanka which is about 87 Kilometers away from Colombo. To reach Pinnawala you have to turn from the 82nd kilometer post of the Colombo – Kandy main road and come through Rambukkana road. If you travel by train the nearest railway station to reach Pinnawala is Rambukkana (2 Kilometers... more

Contrary to the other review, we visited Pinnawela this week and found it to be nothing but a large scam. Three young elephants were chained within a compound for "feeding time" plus the smallest was not chained, which was nothing but an excuse for the two handlers to demand money in return for letting us tourists hold bottles of milk... more